Tiger Woods' extra-marital affairs have ruined his chances of becoming the best golfer in history, Nick Faldo believes.

The American was widely tipped to beat Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major championships after making a stunning start to his career, but has not won at the highest level since revelations about his private life emerged almost three years ago.

Woods took a four-month break from golf after admitting cheating on his wife, and he has struggled to impress since returning to action.

He has not added to the 14 majors he won before the sex scandal erupted and Faldo, himself a six-time major winner, thinks Woods stands next to no chance of eclipsing Nicklaus' record, which has stood since 1986.

Faldo thinks the psychological strife caused by the news of his affairs continue to haunt Woods three years on and he believes they will continue to do so for the rest of his life.

"(The revelations) have done more damage than people would give them credit for," Faldo said.

"People thought he would deal with it and then get back on the golf course.

"It's wrecked that wonderful tranquility you get of going to a golf course, tipping out a bag of balls and hitting them from 9-5 and just thinking of golf.

"When you're a golfer that is great. But now... he has shattered that peace. He won't get that back. Once you lose that concentration and that ability to become completely engrossed in your golf... then slowly things have changed for him.

"His swing... physically, technically, mentally, karma... it's a harder climb right now. Sure, he could come back and do things, but he won't be dominant like he was."

And with Woods turning 37 next month, Faldo thinks age is also catching up with the American.

"As you get older in this game, the little demons start to sit on your shoulders because you have seen one too many bad shots at the wrong time and it starts to eat away at you and I think he has a little bit of that going on," Faldo added.

One man who has stepped in to the limelight as Woods has faded is Rory McIlroy.

Despite being 23, McIlroy has already won two majors and Faldo thinks the Northern Irishman is set for even bigger things, providing he resists the temptation to play in every lucrative tournament on the tour.

"I have been very impressed with Rory. He is a special kid," Faldo said.

"There has only been Jack (Nicklaus), Seve (Ballesteros) and Tiger who have won two majors before they were 25, and now there's Rory.

"It puts him in a very special category.

"There always will be pitfalls for him. He is already feeling it. He is in demand. You can't please everyone.

"You have to be your own boss. He has to pace himself and do all the right things himself. He has 20-odd years left in the game."